Sand bottom for pumps and bailers



Dec. 23, 1930. R. B. WELSH 1,785,990

SAND BOTTOM FOR PUMPS AND BAILERS Filed Jan. 51, 1928 [21 Fr i 3;.

ip/212W fl INVENTOR.

v ATTORNEY. v

Patented Dec. 23, 1930 umrsosrarss PATENT orricE RALPE B. VIELSI-I, o1 BURKBUENETT, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR or TEN run CENT To CHESTER n. BUBEL, TWENTY-FOUR run CENT To LESTER 1). MownnY, AND ONE-FOURTH To 3'. H. ooeerlvs, ALL or WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS SAND BOTTOM FOR- .E'UMPS AND BAILERQ Application filed January 31, 1928. Serial No. 250,850.

, in the mixing of sand and oil at the bottom of the hole to permit the same to be more readily handled by the pump or bailer to which the nd bottom is attached, andthus more effec- 1 ely elevated and discharged from the well. A further object of the invention resides in the apparent simplicity of construction and consequent efiicient operation thereof, as well as its adaptability to various makes and kinds of pumps.

Nith the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention especially refers to its salient features of construction and arrangement of parts by Which said objects are attained and which will become manifest as the description proceeds taken in connection with the accompanyin drawings, wherein,

ig re 1 represents a side elevational view (LL an improved sand bottom or mixer conructed according to the present invention.

Eigure 2 is a sectional view on linesQ- Z of Figure 1.

3 is a s igure bottom plan view of Figure 1. Figure e is a top plan view of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a further side view of the invention, but showing a modified form of intermediate cutting rib, and

Figure 6 is a further view of Figure 1 with one of the prongs of the tool cut away to more clearly show the shape of the intermediate cutting; rib.

While tools of the character set forth and expressed by the invention are particularly well known to the art, it is pointed out that upon the effectiveness of the sand bottom or mixing tool depends the efficiency of the pump with which the said tool co-operates. Consequently, should the mixing tool fail to properly cut up the formation at the bottom of the hole and thoroughly mix the same with the sand, the pump cannot effectively remove the slush. It is therefore the prime object of the invention to provide means by which the substance to be removed from the hole is positively reduced to a slush to increase the chi ciencyof the pump. Moreover, the particu larshape and arrangement of the prongs of the mixing tool, combined with the arrangement of the intermediate cutting ribs, enables the tool to elficiently cut the Walls of the hole in a uniform manner.

Continuing now more in detailwith the in vention, reference is primarily made to Figure 1 in which the invention is shown in full, and the mode of attachment to the slush pump, which latter is fragmentarily shown and indicated by the character 1. The lower end of the pump is provided with L shaped slots 2, receiving pins 3, integral with the head of the mixing tool in a conventional manner, and which will be described presently. i

The invention comprises a body t having a central opening, covered by a trap door 5, hinged at a, and acts as a'valveto permit upward movement of slush entering the pump 1, but constraining the same against clownward movement. This feature is likewise of a conventional nature, and therefore no claim as to novelty is made herein.

The body 4 is provided with opposed slots extending upwardly to a point just below the shoulder thereof, and defining opposed prongs 6. Reference to the drawings will disclose that the edges of the prongs 6 are sharpened, which feature affords a means by which the tool may effectively cut into and loosen the sand to render the same easier to handle. r

Extending laterally between the prongs at a point intermediate the body 4 and lower extremity of the former are cutting ribs 7, preferably j oined together and cast integral with the prongs 6. These ribs, as particularly apparent in Figure 3 are turned in opposite directions and are each provided with cutting edges as shown.

Most generally in practical use, tools of this character are arranged to be cable operated, and are so reciprocated in the Well. Conse quently, when released and dropped forcibly into the well, the prongs 6, being sharpened at their points, embed themselves in the earth, and due to the reverse relationship of the cutting ribs 7, as shown in Figure 3, the tool has a tendency to revolve when these ribs come into contact with the slush present in the hole. By reason of the slight revolving action so imparted to the tool, the prongs 6 are enabled to engage the earth in a new place, hence increasing its cutting efiiciency, as well as more thoroughly mixing the sand and earth cuttings loosened by the action of the tool within the well, with the oil with which the substance is impregnated.

Each time the tool is actuated, the suction of the pump pulls the slush loosened by the invention upward through the valve 5, which is raised also by the action of the pump piston, not shown.

In Figures 5 and 6 is shown the same general structure shown in Figures 1 and 2, butillustrating a modified form of rib 7. This rib is formed in substantially diamond shape in lateral cross-section whereby to produce a cutting edge on both upper and lower sides,

he only departure from the rib structure shown in the other views being that the rib is not designed to impart a rotating motion to the tool.

In Figures 1, 2 and 5 especially is illustrated the preferred form of latch by which the tool embodying the invention may be detachably secured to the pump 1. This latch is comprised of an arm 8, pivotally held by pin 9 in a recess in one side of the body t of the tool, and so arranged as to lie operatively againstthe reduced portion of the body, while being flush with the periphery of the body 4-. That portion of the arm extending above the shoulder of the lJOC y 4 enters one of the l. shaped slots in the lower end of the pump 1 after the latter is locked upon the pins 3 formed integrally upon the tool body t. A leaf spring 10, secured at Z) applies con stant pressure upon the lower end of the arm 8, insuring against accidental displacementthereot'. To release the arm in dismantling the assembly, it is required only to apply a suitable tool to withdraw the arm from the slot 2 in the pump barrel, urging it to the position shown in Figure 5, after which the pump barrel may be turned with respect to the bottom and released. No claim as to novelt-y is made to the latch shown and described.

h lanifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification, and such modification as is in keeping with the appended claims is also considered within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A sand mixing bottom for sand pumps and bailers comprising a tubular body formed to provide a pair of spaced diametrically opposed depending prongs, said prongs being substantially of a conveX-concavo cross section and each of said prongs having their marginal edges beveled to form cutters, and a mixing rib disposed intermediate the lower ends of the prongs and their points of connection with the tubular body, said mixing rib extending across tne space between the prongs and having its ends connected to the prongs intermediate the cutting edges of the latter.

2. A sand mixing bottom for sand pumps and bailers con'lprising a tubular body, a series of spaced depending prongs formed on said body and having their marginal edges beveled to provide cutting edges, and a mixing rib disposed intermediate the ends of the prongs and connecting the latter between their cutting edges, said rib having its lower edge formed with reversely beveled portions whereby rotative movement is imparted to said body and prongs.

In testimony whereot I afiix my signature.

RALPH B. WELSH. 

